Veneers in Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental veneers, also called laminates, are pretty much the same in principle as the veneers used in home beautification. Veneers are thin layers of material bonded onto a surface to make it look better. Laminates have been used in ancient Egypt by the wealthy in furniture and sarcophagi design.

Nowadays, it’s not only the rich who can have veneers, although porcelain veneers are more expensive than other options. Veneers typically cost upwards of $600 per tooth, but in most cases you will need to have at least adjacent teeth done to preserve uniformity. That’s a lot of money to spend on something that’s no thicker than plastic film, but it’s tougher than it looks. On average, veneers last up to 10 years, so in terms of the value it adds to a person’s self confidence, it’s certainly not bad in terms of value.

Veneers and its Applications

A veneer or laminate is a very thin piece of dental-grade resin or porcelain which is shaped by a ceramist to fit the contours of a patient’s tooth. It is bonded directly to the tooth to cover imperfections in size, shape, and color. Veneers can solve a lot of problems, such as:

Chipped or broken teeth

Discoloration due to medication

Irregularly shaped, cratered, or worn down teeth

Gaps between teeth

How is it Done?

The process of veneering is three-staged. First, the dentist makes an assessment of your case to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. If you are, the dentist prepares the tooth by trimming it and then taking an impression which a ceramist will use to shape the veneer. Finally, the porcelain or resin shell is bonded to the tooth.

Cosmetic dentists tend to specialize in procedures such as veneering. While some people may consider it an unnecessary expense, improving your smile is a good way to raise one’s self-esteem as well as open up new opportunities in life and in one’s career.